Your Guide to Buying a 12 MP Digital Camera

Traditional cameras of old are quickly becoming outdated and replaced by high-quality digital cameras in today's market. Even though film cameras used to be the most popular models available, that is clearly no longer the case. Many consumers have decided to search for great deals on 12 MP digital cameras either for personal or professional purposes. There are several points that need to be taken into consideration by the average consumer when shopping for these photographic devices.

Different Types of Digital Cameras

There are three basic types of digital cameras:

· point-and-shoot cameras

· cameras with high zoom capabilities

· high-quality digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras

Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Point-and-shoot cameras are some of the most basic and smallest camera models that are currently available. There are usually quite a few buttons that allow users to modify shooting settings in order to enhance the quality of their pictures. These cameras are great choices for consumers that only need to use a camera for special events and casual occasions.

· Stay away from high resolution when shopping for point-and-shoot cameras, because they are not capable of producing high-quality images based on their size.

· Pay attention to the zoom ratio and focal lengths of these cameras

· Invest in a point-and-shoot camera that has a high-quality LCD, because it can effectively be used as a viewfinder.

Cameras with High Zoom Capabilities

Cameras that have high-zoom capabilities come in compact and standard models. When shopping for compact cameras, follow the same principles that apply to point-and-shoot cameras. On the other hand, standard models need to be approached a little differently.

· Standard cameras with high zoom capabilities resemble miniature versions of DSLRs, primarily because of their built-in electronic viewfinders.

· Purchase a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 of a second for solid image stabilization and sharp photos

· Find a model that can be programmed to accommodate high ISO settings, such as 1600 or even 3200 in order to get the best shots in low-lighting environments.

· These cameras cannot match the quality of DSLR cameras , but are much better than point-and-shoot cameras

Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) Cameras

There actually is another type of standard camera that has a mirrorless design and interchangeable lenses. However, industry experts and studies have proven that these cameras are borderline compromises between DSLRs and standard cameras with high zoom capabilities. Therefore, if you are interested in a high-quality camera with interchangeable lenses, the best route to take would be to purchase a DSLR camera instead.

· Check the physical structure and design to make sure that the camera will be comfortable to use

· Invest in a DSLR camera with a high shutter speed and ISO setting

· Keep in mind that a good camera speed range is around 3 frames per second

· Focus on models that have built-in electronic viewfinders for increased quality and precision

· Pay close attention to the wide variety of lenses available when purchasing these types of cameras since most DSLR packages come with just the camera bodies (no lenses included)

· Explore the vast collection of included and optional accessories that are available to improve the efficiency and performance of that specific model

What Are Megapixels?

When shopping for digital cameras, one of the biggest selling points that are used in advertisements is the megapixel count. Many consumers associate the number of megapixels within a digital camera as a key highlight and factor that helps them to decide which model to purchase. What does this number actually mean? The megapixel count of any digital camera represents the number of pixels that it is able to capture efficiently by the million.

· For example, a digital camera with 3.1 megapixels is capable of capturing an image that is 1,536 pixels tall and 2,048 pixels wide since the product of these two numbers equals over 3.1 million pixels.

The same principle applies when shopping for 12 MP digital cameras as well.

· Within a 4:3 aspect, a digital camera with 12 MP is capable of capturing an image that is 4,000 pixels wide and 3,000 pixels tall.

· Keep in mind that these figures are more impressive than the pixel output of most 65" 1080p high-definition LED televisions when they are used to play a Blu-Ray movie.

Many studies have confirmed that this is actually much more than the average photographer needs, especially since he or she would more than likely hardly ever need to produce an image that is bigger than an 8x10 sheet. Instead of becoming overly concerned with megapixel counts, therefore, industry experts recommend consumers to focus on other key features and figures when shopping for digital cameras.

How to Buy a 12MP Digital Camera on eBay

In order to access a complete listing of 12 MP digital cameras that are currently available on eBay, go to the eBay homepage and use the Search field to type in relevant keywords and phrases such as " 12 MP Digital Cameras" or a more general phrase such as " digital cameras ." You can also use the same field to search for specific models in order to save time and streamline the list of populated results to exactly what you need, such as "Nikon 12 MP camera" or " Canon digital cameras ."

Focus on purchasing cameras from top-rated sellers that have established an extensive history of positive feedback and great ratings from past customers. Finding offers for free shipping on these purchases can save even more money, especially when shopping for bundled packages that include heavy camera accessories . Take the time to study each product description closely, checking the specifications and key details that are advertised within each individual listing. Do not hesitate to ask the seller any questions about the camera that is being considered before finalizing the purchase.

Conclusion

Digital cameras are becoming increasingly popular with each passing year. It truly does not matter if a consumer is a professional photographer that needs to add a new camera to their expanding collection or they just want to have a great camera available to capture the special moments of their life. Knowing how to find a great deal on a digital camera, such as a 12 MP camera model, can truly come in handy.